Conan O’Brien or Jay Leno? New York Times television writer Bill Carter (The Late Shift, Desperate Networks) covers a different kind of war reporting, talk show wars. His new book, The War for Late Night: When Leno Went Early and Television Went Crazy, is news from the front.
Carter talks contrasts the talents and motivations of talk several show hosts, and Johnny Carson’s impact them. He also offers insight into the networks and the expression “no one knows anything,” as he quotes various senior executives who “didn’t get” shows such as Survivor or The Office.